Episode #21: Building a Skin Care Brand with Meaning While Holding a 9-5 with Aida Toure
September 1, 2026
Click to watch on YouTube.
From Hiding an Insecurity to Building a Body Care Brand Around It
Episode Summary
When an idea starts as a solution to your own problem, it can take time to realize you may actually be building something much bigger.
Aida Tore is the founder of Texture Skin, a body care brand created to give more attention to areas of the body that have traditionally been overlooked, beginning with underarm care. What started with Aida experimenting at home to address her own hyperpigmentation, sensitivity, and underarm concerns eventually grew into a brand she launched while continuing to work a full-time career in tech.
In this episode of The Building Well Podcast, Aida shares what that transition has required beyond developing a product. She opens up about learning to actually see herself as a founder and CEO, navigating opinions from people who do not understand her vision, and realizing that filling every available hour with work is not necessarily the same thing as making meaningful progress.
Amanda and Aida also talk about the realities of building a consumer brand while working a 9-to-5, creating routines that make both possible, using AI to reduce the workload, seeking experienced advisors, building relationships through networking, and learning when it is time to ask for help.
This conversation is a look at the early stages of entrepreneurship when the vision is becoming real, but you are still growing into the person responsible for carrying it forward.
3 Key Takeaways
You have to grow into the identity of the business you are building.
One of Aida's biggest shifts has been recognizing that she is not simply experimenting with an idea anymore. She is a founder and CEO, even while working a full-time job and being surrounded by entrepreneurs who may be much further along. Owning that identity has required her to stop shrinking because she is newer and begin showing up as the person responsible for where Texture Skin is going.
More work does not automatically mean more progress.
During the earlier stages of building Texture Skin, Aida felt guilty whenever she was not working on the business outside of her 9-to-5. She eventually realized that packing every available moment with productivity was unsustainable and that rest needed a place in her routine too. Building well sometimes means intentionally separating the time to work from the time to simply live.
Asking for help can move the business further than trying to carry everything yourself.
Aida initially found herself starting multiple things without necessarily finishing them because she was responsible for so many areas of the business. Bringing experienced advisors into her corner has helped her navigate operations, logistics, retail strategy, manufacturing, and growth with greater clarity. Her experience is a reminder that entrepreneurship may begin with one person's idea, but growing that idea often requires other people.
Guest Bio
Aida Tore is the founder of Texture Skin, a body care brand focused on giving intentional care and attention to areas of the body that have traditionally been overlooked. The brand currently focuses on underarm care with a vegan serum designed for concerns including hyperpigmentation, bumps, ingrown hairs, and skin sensitivity.
Aida's own experience with dark underarms, irritation, and sensitivity inspired her to begin researching ingredients and experimenting with early formulations before working with skincare professionals, dermatologists, and a contract manufacturer to develop the product further.
Alongside building Texture Skin, Aida works full time in tech and brings a strong interest in sales, branding, marketing, education, and community building to the company. She is currently growing the brand through organic social media, creator partnerships, networking, PR outreach, SEO, and relationships with skincare professionals while exploring future retail opportunities.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Entreprenista League of Founders
Some links above may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission from purchases to support this show.
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